そのままにしておいて
sono mama ni shite oite
The English phrase 'leave it' can be expressed in Japanese as そのままにしておいて (sono mama ni shite oite).
This phrase is used to tell someone to let a thing remain in its current state or position without changing it.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of sono mama (as it is), the particle ni, shite (doing) and oite (leaving/placing).
Which one should you use?
While そのままにして is a shorter and more direct way to say 'leave it as it is', the form そのままにしておいて uses shite oite to emphasize leaving the object in that specific condition for a period of time.
How do you pronounce it?
sono mama ni shite oite
Did you know?
- If you are talking about a person rather than an object, you would rarely use this phrase. To tell a person to 'leave it alone', Japanese speakers typically use different expressions involving 'ignoring'.
- The word mama in sono mama does not mean 'mother', despite the similar sound. It is a functional word meaning 'as it is' or 'in that state'.
- If you say sono mama ni shite to a person in a professional setting, you might sound accidentally blunt or even rude. Adding the oite ending softens the command into a request to 'leave it for a while'.
Examples in context
- これ以上、話さないでください。やめて。Please don't talk anymore. Leave it.
- もうやめろ！Just leave it already!
- そのままにしておいてください。Sono mama ni shite oite kudasai.Please leave it as it is.
- 動かさないで、そのままにしておいて。Ugokasanaide, sono mama ni shite oite.Don't move it, just leave it.
- あ、それはそのままにしておいて！A, sore wa sono mama ni shite oite!Ah, leave that as it is!
Example conversation
A woman is cleaning a room and starts moving a delicate decoration.
- 結衣 Yuiこれ、どこに置こうか？Kore, doko ni okou ka?Where should I put this?
- 大翔 Hirotoいや、そのままにしておいて。Iya, sono mama ni shite oite.No, leave it as it is.
- 結衣 Yuiわかった、大翔くん。Wakatta, Hiroto-kun.Okay, Hiroto.
- 大翔 Hirotoありがとう、結衣。Arigatou, Yui.Thanks, Yui.
